I planned to retire from my job in London. UK at the end of 2012 and wondered what I would do back home after 12 years of a hectic life in UK, where one only rest when you go to bed around midnight. I knew I would not manage a complete retirement; I would get lonely, depressed and miserable. My husband and sisters were encouraging me to take an early retirement and I asked what I would do since they were all still working. I explained that each time I came on holiday I got lonely and bored staying home alone.

Then in July 2012 Toserudo Clothing Manufacturing Company was founded by three Directors. We did a brief intensive market research for three weeks visiting schools in Harare and Marondera and asking pertinent questions about school uniforms, we also observed that the uniforms were of different shades and some of the fabric was of poor quality because the garments were faded.

We showed the schools our samples of better quality fabric, which was affordable and consistent in colour and shade. We started with a few schools in Marondera and supplied an outlet, which has contracts to supply uniforms to a number of schools. This outlet started with small orders but we remained consistent in our quality, reliability and worked in a professional manner valuing our customers and listening to their concerns. Now they give us most of their orders. We use different communication channels and our products are delivered at the customer’s door. We have developed a partnership with all our customers and the community. We participate in school activities, give donations, pay fees, do charity work such as cleaning campaigns. The company is expanding and we now supply protective wear, corporate wear and have capacity to supply customers locally and regionally.

The PROWEB Business Training Programme has taught me to focus on my vision, be passionate in my business, plan weekly and review, know my competitor and learn to be smarter in business. The most important thing I have learnt is to know my customer’s needs and not what I perceive the customer wants. As a result of the training and knowing your customers’ needs we have opened an outlet at the Long Chain Plaza along Bulawayo road. We are stocking school wear, protective wear and vocational wear